The most dangerous threat in a home might not crackle, leak, or smell. It might sit quietly in the basement right now, building up with every passing day. Radon does not sting the nose. It does not irritate the eyes. It does not turn the air a strange color. Yet this invisible radioactive gas ranks as a leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. For people who never touch a cigarette, radon stands as the leading cause.
Radon forms naturally from the breakdown of uranium in soil, rock, and water. It rises from the ground and seeps into homes through cracks in foundations, gaps around pipes, sump pits, and even tiny openings in concrete slabs. Once inside, it can build up to dangerous levels, especially in lower levels of a home where ventilation is limited.
